Cooperative Surgical Instrument Control With Real-Time Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coordinating the movement and functionality of multiple surgical instruments during procedures, especially in minimally invasive surgeries, is challenging due to the need for collective action and maintaining focus on the procedure while ensuring direct visualization and access to instruments.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first and second electrosurgical instrument, with a controller that adjusts energy delivery based on data received from the second instrument, and a data processor that determines and adjusts energy delivery by the first instrument, along with a surgical visualization system that provides real-time imaging and distance sensing to avoid critical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple surgical instruments are used to operate on a region simultaneously, then the surgical procedure can be executed more effectively, but coordinating movement and maintaining focus on other aspects of the procedure becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller receives data from surgical instruments about their actions (e.g., tissue grasping, energy delivery) and uses this information to automatically coordinate other instruments. This allows the surgical team to maintain focus on the procedure while the system handles the coordination complexity through real-time feedback loops between instruments and the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instruments are equipped with sensors and controllers that enable them to autonomously sense their own actions and the actions of other instruments. The instruments can self-regulate their operations based on real-time data, reducing the need for constant manual coordination by the surgical team while maintaining effective multi-instrument cooperation.
2Productivity
If multiple surgical instruments operate simultaneously, then more surgical tasks can be performed, but direct visualization of and easy access to instruments becomes challenging or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary control system that acts as a mediator between the surgical instruments and the surgical team. This intermediary layer processes data from multiple instruments and provides coordinated control signals, allowing the team to manage complex multi-instrument operations without needing direct visual tracking of each instrument's position and state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical visualization and manual coordination with electronic sensing and digital communication systems. Sensors on the instruments transmit data through the controller, substituting the need for direct visual monitoring with electronic data processing and automated coordination mechanisms.
3Productivity
If energy delivery is increased to improve surgical effectiveness, then better surgical outcomes are achieved, but damage to critical structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback control where sensors monitor the effects of energy delivery on tissue and critical structures. The controller receives this feedback data and automatically adjusts energy delivery parameters to maintain surgical effectiveness while preventing damage to critical structures. This closed-loop control ensures that energy is delivered at optimal levels without exceeding safe thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy delivery system transitions from static, fixed-energy delivery to dynamic, real-time adjustable energy delivery. The controller continuously modifies energy parameters based on real-time surgical conditions, allowing the system to adapt energy delivery levels to the specific needs of the tissue being treated while avoiding damage to critical structures.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for controlling cooperative surgical instruments are provided. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for coordinated operation of surgical instruments accessing various surgical sites from different or shared surgical approaches to achieve a common or cooperative surgical purpose. For example, various methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein can enable the coordinated treatment of tissue by disparate minimally invasive surgical systems that approach the tissue from varying anatomical spaces and must operate differently, but in concert with, one another to effect a desired surgical treatment.